Virginia Foxx’s Opponent in November Held Event in Sparta: Motsinger Highlights Family Ties in 5th District

Published Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at 10:54 am

Group shot of Event.

Press Release from Elizabeth Motsinger Campaign

Aug. 13, 2012. The Elisabeth Motsinger for Congress campaign celebrated family roots in the 5th District at a potluck cookout Sunday at Sam Brown Park in Sparta. The event also celebrated the 65th birthday of John Motsinger Sr., spouse of the candidate.

“Any occasion to visit with family and friends in beautiful Alleghany County is a good occasion,” said Elisabeth Motsinger. “John and I look were so pleased to see family and close freinds.”

John Motsinger Sr. grew up on a Christmas tree farm on Camp Butler Road in Glade Valley, one of four children of Gene and Margaret Motsinger. Pine Shadows Farm currently is owned and operated by his brother and sister-in-law, Alfred and Dawn Motsinger. John and Elisabeth Motsinger are frequent visitors and volunteers for Cut and Choose weekends each holiday season. They own 40 acres of forest land on the farm.

John Motsinger Sr. attended Sparta Elementary School. As a child he attended YMCA Camp Butler, just down the road from his home. He worked at the camp during summers off from high school and college. He also worked as a lifeguard at Roaring Gap resort in Alleghany County. His great-uncle, Thurmond Chatham, served in Congress from 1949 to 1957.

Elizabeth Motsinger

Sunday’s event is free and open to the public. The Motsinger campaign will provide hot dogs, veggie dogs, drinks and cake. Covered dishes are welcome but not required.

“It’s always good to be back home in Alleghany County,” said John Motsinger Sr., who now lives in Walkertown in Forsyth County. “I am so proud to have introduced Elisabeth to the beauty of Alleghany County, and to the legacy of great representation from my Great-Uncle Thurmond and others like Bob Doughton and Lon and John Folger.”

Doughton, known as “Farmer Bob” lived in Laurel Springs. He served in Congress from 1911 to 1953. Alonzo (Lon) Folger, of Surry County, served the 5th District in Congress from 1939 until his death in 1941. His brother John was appointed to fulfill his term, and served until 1949.

Elisabeth Motsinger won the Democratic Primary in May with 70 percent of the vote, and faces Virginia Foxx in the November election. She was elected to the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education in 2006. In 2010, she was re-elected to an at-large seat, and was the only Democratic incumbent running county-wide in Forsyth to be re-elected. A physician assistant, Motsinger is completing her Master of Arts in Bioethics at Wake Forest University. For information about Motsinger, please visit: http://www.nc5th.us.